Montreal's first snow of season rouses emotions — some good, some bad
Many areas of southern Quebec affected by weather system that moved in from the U.S. overnight
When it comes to snow, there are two kinds of Montrealers. Those who think it's magical, and those who think it's painful.
And while the first snowfall of the year wasn't the walloping we were anticipating, it was just enough to reawaken those feelings — albeit, a little early.
Take Alexa Glaudemans, for example. She is not a fan of the snow, and she is certainly not ready for there to be more of it.
Her three dogs, however, are in their glory.
Roads clear on usual hilly trouble spots Atwater and Cote-des-Neiges. Vehicles moving fine, dogs also faring OK. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/storm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#storm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/snow?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#snow</a> <a href="https://t.co/10W8TPwEGx">pic.twitter.com/10W8TPwEGx</a>
—@simon_nak"It takes longer to get them ready, but they like it," she said.
Keena Lanoix sees the beauty in the snow, even if it will likely be brown and melted by tomorrow.
Lanoix is a snow optimist. She makes sure to dress warmly. She's looking forward to winter runs. She is ready.
"You have to find ways to love winter. Otherwise it's going to be a long six, eight months," she said with a laugh.
Philippe Sabourin, a spokesperson for the City of Montreal, said road clearing efforts were launched by 3 a.m., with about 1,000 snowplows on the road.
"Everything is under control," he told CBC Montreal's Daybreak, but, regardless, he encouraged commuters to rely on public transit to get to work rather than driving.
With 10,000 kilometres of streets and sidewalks, he added, crews "can't be everywhere at the same time."
Not just here
The snow began overnight. The Montreal and Quebec City areas will get about five centimetres, while Sherbrooke has already received 20 centimetres, on top of the 15 centimetres that fell in there Tuesday.
And considering the fact that the deadline to install winter tires is still a month away, there were a number of collisions across the province during the morning rush hour.
Québec 511's Twitter feed was reporting the first collisions of the day by 5 a.m., as drivers dealt with slippery road conditions and poor visibility on some highways.
Police say the weather may be to blame for a school bus with students aboard overturning on Highway 15 in Saint-Jérôme just before 9 a.m. Friday.
In Montreal, temperatures will rise to just below the freezing mark today. By Saturday, skies will be mostly sunny and while there is a chance of flurries, Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 3 C.
With files from Simon Nakonechny